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A Late Winter Check of the Honeybees

I am very happy to report that each of my three beehives has survived the winter! Granted, we’ve had a very mild winter here in the Northeast, but still, any number of things can go wrong within a hive, from the destructive Varroa mite to the mysterious Colony Collapse Disorder. With the early blooming witch hazel trees and a few flowers, such as snowdrops and crocuses, the honeybees have been venturing out of their hives in search of nourishment. However, this is a tricky period for beekeepers, as the majority of pollen and nectar sources really don’t begin to bloom until the middle of April. That means the bees will need to have their diets supplemented to keep them strong and productive. D.J. Haverkamp, of Bedford Bee Honeybee Service, stopped by the other day to help Carlos check and feed the hives.